Former President & CEO,
Walmart U.S.

Bill was President and CEO of Walmart U.S. from 2010 to 2014. When he joined the company in 2006, he led the team that created and launched Walmart’s $4 prescription drug program. In 2007, Bill was named COO for Walmart U.S and held that position until he was appointed President and CEO. As CEO, Bill was responsible for over $280 Billion in revenue and1.2 million associates. Additionally, he has been a major driver in the resurgence of US manufacturing. He developed and led Walmart’s initiative to buy $250 billion in US manufactured products. A passionate supporter of veterans, Bill was instrumental in the company’s pledge to hire any returning veteran.

Prior to joining Walmart, Bill held several senior positions; Brinker International, Diageo, Cadbury-Schweppes, PepsiCo and RJR-Nabisco. He also served in the pubic sector as Secretary of the Florida Department of Management Services appointed by Governor Jeb Bush. Bill was responsible for the state’s operations and administrative functions, including health care benefits, human resources, the Florida retirement system, facilities management and real estate.

Bill is currently a senior advisor to the investment firm KKR and serves on the Board of Directors of Darden Restaurants, Inc., Chico’s FAS and Agrium, Inc. He is a Member of the Baylor University Board of Regents as well as Executive in Residence and a member of the Faculty of the Baylor School of Business.

Bill served 25 years in the U.S. Navy and Naval Reserves. While on active duty, he received commendations for combat service in the Grenada conflict as well as service as part of a Multi-National Peacekeeping force in Beirut, Lebanon. As a reservist, he was the Commanding Officer of a Mobile Mine Assembly Group and Executive Officer aboard a Minesweeper.

Bill attended the University of Connecticut, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics and an MBA in management. He has been married to his wife Tammy Simon for over 30 years.